Buying guide for Best Cuisinart toaster ovens
Need more oven space? Want an energy-efficient cooking option? A toaster oven from Cuisinart might fit the bill. Cuisinart makes some of the best toaster ovens on today’s market. These ovens combine state-of-the-art technology with classic features.
Cuisinart toaster ovens come in a variety of sizes, all of which are countertop friendly. All Cuisinart toaster ovens can toast, bake, and broil. Some models include additional functions, such as convection or rotisserie cooking. Further, the intuitive and user-friendly controls on Cuisinart toaster ovens are extremely easy to use.
Because Cuisinart offers quite a few toaster oven models, it’s a good idea to investigate your choices before buying one. Think about the capacity you need, the presets you prefer, and whether any other Cuisinart toaster oven features might make your life in the kitchen a little easier.
What to consider when choosing a Cuisinart toaster oven
Types
Cuisinart offers several different types of toaster ovens. They are classified by the functions they perform. You may find one type is a better fit for your cooking needs than another.
Standard toaster oven: A standard toaster oven can toast, bake, and broil. Its primary purpose is to toast, bake, and brown food. Standard toaster ovens tend to be the most affordable Cuisinart models. However, they don’t offer the versatility of other options.
Convection toaster oven: A toaster oven with convection capability performs the same functions as a standard toaster oven, but the convection setting circulates air throughout the toaster oven so it can cook foods more quickly and at a lower temperature. Thus, a convection toaster oven can save you time when you’re cooking.
Rotisserie toaster oven: This type of oven not only allows for toasting, baking, broiling, and convection cooking, but it also features a spit for skewering meat. The spit rotates slowly while the meat cooks. Rotisserie cooking prepares meat in its own juices, creating a flavorful, juicy meal with ease.
Air fryer toaster oven: This handy combo appliance can toast, bake, broil, and roast any food, but it also offers an air fry function. This makes it easy to prepare crispy french fries, chicken nuggets, and other favorites. Hot air circulates around the food, cooking it quickly, just like some of the best air fryers available today. No oil is required to get a crispy texture, making it a healthy alternative to deep frying.
Expert Tip
Be aware of big food items in the oven and their proximity to the top burner. It’s very easy for things to get over-toasted or burn. If you’re baking in your toaster oven, also turn the tray halfway through baking for a more even result.
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Size and capacity
When shopping for a Cuisinart toaster oven, consider your available countertop space and how much food you want to prepare. An oven with a greater capacity consumes more space on your counter, so you may need to compromise.
A compact toaster oven by Cuisinart can usually accommodate six slices of toast or an 11-inch pizza. A mid-size model can typically fit a 12-inch pizza. The largest models can hold up to nine slices of toast or a 13-inch pizza. Some can even fit a small- to mid-size whole chicken.
Check the dimensions of any Cuisinart toaster oven you’re considering, and then measure the space on your countertop where you plan to put it to make sure it will fit.
Presets
Presets take the guesswork out of using a toaster oven. The number and type of presets will vary based on the oven. Examples include a preset for toasting bagels and a preset for reheating leftovers.
While the air fry mode on a Cuisinart toaster oven doesn’t require oil, you should mist the foods you’re cooking with olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil to achieve a crispy brown exterior.
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The best Cuisinart toaster oven features
Temperature range
Many toaster ovens can’t reach the same heat as a conventional oven.
This may impact the dishes you can make. Most Cuisinart models preheat fast and have a range of 200°F to 450°F. Some reach up to 500°F for broiling purposes.
Controls
While all Cuisinart toaster ovens have knobs and other easy-to-use controls, some have more sophisticated controls than others.
Basic toaster ovens tend to have dial controls. Simply turn a dial to choose your setting or temperature.
Mid-range models have digital controls that allow you to see at a glance the settings you’ve chosen.
High-end Cuisinart toaster ovens have touchpad controls .A digital display shows you your settings. These ovens are extremely user-friendly.
Timer
It can be easy to lose track of how long your food has been in the toaster oven when you’re busy. Many Cuisinart models have a built-in timer function for this reason. You choose a cooking time. Then, when the timer runs out, the toaster oven sounds an alarm. Your food is ready!
Auto shutoff
If you tend to get distracted by goings-on around the house while you’re cooking, consider a Cuisinart toaster oven with an auto shutoff feature.
This allows you to set the timer for a specified cooking time. When time runs out, the toaster oven automatically turns itself off. This prevents you from burning your food and is also an important safety feature.
Ease of cleaning
A toaster oven should be easy to clean. You don’t want to worry about burning crumbs or smoking grease while you’re cooking.
Nearly all Cuisinart toaster ovens have a removable crumb tray. And most oven interiors are nonstick for easy cleaning.
Expert Tip
If you’re concerned about messes from particularly drippy foods like butter on toast or a cheesy pizza slice, line your tray with a piece of aluminum foil to protect it.
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Cuisinart toaster oven prices
Entry-level
The most affordable Cuisinart toaster ovens are basic toaster ovens. These offer between 0.50 and 0.60 cubic feet of interior capacity. They have few special features and typically cost between $66 and $92.
Mid-range
Mid-range Cuisinart toaster ovens are usually convection toaster ovens. They have at least 0.60 cubic feet of interior capacity. Look for special features, like a timer and auto shut-off. Price ranges from $92 to $188.
High-end
The priciest Cuisinart toaster ovens tend to have it all. They are extra-large convection ovens, air fry toaster ovens, and rotisserie toaster ovens.
The top Cuisinart convection toaster ovens typically have up to 0.95 cubic feet of interior space. The best air fryer and rotisserie models usually have at least 0.60 cubic feet of space.
Look for a variety of special features in these ovens, like a timer and auto shutoff. Expect to pay between $188 and $280.
From waffles and bread to pizza and chicken wings, a Cuisinart toaster oven can prepare a variety of foods for meals and snacks.
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Tips
- Unplug your toaster oven when you’re not using it. A spontaneous fire isn’t likely, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- When using the convection feature, adjust the temperature. In general, you should lower the temperature by 25 degrees in convection mode.
- Clean the crumb tray regularly. Crumbs and grease left on the tray could catch fire.
Expert tip
Empty your crumb tray after each use to keep from collecting burnable material in it. Eventually, the crumbs over-toast and can create a rancid burn smell during each use.
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FAQ
Q. What’s the best way to clean a Cuisinart toaster oven?
A. Always unplug the oven and allow it to cool before cleaning. Avoid harsh cleansers and sponges, which can damage the finish. Instead, apply a small amount of mild liquid dish soap to a damp cloth. Then, wipe down the interior. Use a second rag dampened with water to rinse the inside.
Q. Can I bake cookies in a Cuisinart toaster oven?
A. Yes. You can make cookies and most other baked goods in a Cuisinart toaster oven. However, because a toaster oven is smaller than a regular full-size oven, you’ll have to bake the cookies in batches.
Q. What type of warranty protection do Cuisinart toaster ovens have?
A. Most Cuisinart toaster ovens include two to three years of warranty protection. The warranty covers problems that result from defects in the workmanship or materials.
